Road Cross Section Elements Explained
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ScribdTranslationsRoad Cross Section Elements Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsGraph and define each of the elements that make up the cross section of a
road
(Backrest) Backrest
Pavement.- Also called the roadway surface, it is the "area of the road intended for
the circulation of vehicles in a comfortable and safe manner. This roadway generally
it must be firm or paved, depending on the type of road, it can be
divided into one or more longitudinal strips called lanes.
Lanes.- The division of the roadway into several parallel strips is called lanes.
the same ones that must have a sufficient width to allow the circulation of a single row of
vehicles.
Shoulders, verge or shoulders.- These are the external parts that are next to the roadway, they serve
to provide additional space for the lanes so that they can park
momentarily the vehicles that are in emergency and avoid accidents.
In other countries, it is also known as berm or shoulder, although this term is not
usado en nuestro país. En nuestra clase se acordó emplear el término ‘espaldón’.
Crown.- It is the section that is formed by the roadway and the shoulders.
Ditches.- They are trenches of trapezoidal or triangular section that may or may not be lined.
that are used to collect the water that drains from the roadway and the slopes.
Slopes.- They are inclined lateral surfaces, located in cutting areas and in
fill, the inclinations are determined by geological studies. In cross-section the
Slopes begin after the ditch; if the section is filled, the slope starts
on the edge of the embankment or the gutter if applicable.
Explanation.- The width of the embankment corresponds to the strip of land occupied by the
construction of the road, that is from the outer edges of the sides.
Right of way.- It is the strip of land designated for possible widenings,
improvements and landscaping developments that need to be carried out in the future.
Additionally, the response using terminology from the book 'Trazado' is also valid.
Road Design of the University of Buenos Aires.
Explain the types of factors considered in the geometric design of roads.
Alternatively, a summarized and equally valid response could be:
In the geometric design of roads, there are two types of factors, the factors
externals and internals.
The external factors are related to the topography of the natural terrain,
geological and geotechnical composition of it, the volume and characteristics of traffic
current and future, the environmental values, the climatology and hydrology of the area, the plans
of territorial planning and land use.
Internal factors define the design parameters and the operational aspects of the
geometry, especially those linked to safety and those related to aesthetics
and harmony.
How are roads classified according to their hierarchy?
According to the hierarchy attributed to the network, the roads should be designed with the
geometric characteristics corresponding to their class. Classification based on hierarchical function
according to the MTOP:
• Arterial corridors
• Collector roads
• Neighborhood roads
Choose the correct answer for the definition of speed:
The maximum speed at which vehicles can safely travel on a
specific section of a road
X The relationship between the distance traveled and the time it takes to travel it
The speed of a vehicle along a specific stretch of road
Choose the correct answer for the use of circulation speed values,
corresponding to low traffic volumes:
X For calculating the visibility distances for a vehicle stop
For the calculation of visibility distances for overtaking a vehicle
Explain how the cant and the widening are developed in the case of spiral curves.
of spirals, the development of the superelevation is done within the length of the spiral, along the entire
its magnitude, distributing the excess width half towards the external side and half towards the internal side.
How are maximum slopes defined?
The maximum slopes are defined by the volume of traffic, by its composition, by the type
of land and by the speed of design.
Graph and define: 'Pumping'
Pumping is the slope given to the crown in the tangents of the horizontal alignment.
towards one side and the other of the road to prevent water accumulation on the path.
(Rim) (backrest)
[Type here]
Graph and define: 'Overwidth'
The term 'shoulders' refers to 'increased width in the transverse dimension of a roadway in the
curves." This increase allows for additional space for vehicles in
movement on curves does not have problems of road occupancy, since while
they follow the trajectory of the curve, the width of the space they occupy increases with the
consequent decrease of the lateral spaces.
In Ecuador, a maximum overwidth of 1.60 m and a minimum of 0.40 m is accepted for a
lane.
Define 'Subgrade'
Subgrade.- It is the surface that limits the earthworks and on which the layers rest.
of the pavement.
Backrest Backsupport
Indicate what activities are carried out in the pre-preliminary study stage.
The activities that must be carried out in the pre-preliminary stage are as follows:
Study using maps and photographs and land exploration
Aerial photogrammetric restitution, width 500 m
Preliminary design, scale 1:5,000
Geological-geotechnical study for the design of the road
Work quantities and budget
Route selection report
Graph and define 'Overtaking Distance'
Overtaking visibility distance - Minimum distance to perform the maneuver
rebase in safe conditions.
The overtaking maneuver on two-lane roads necessarily involves the
use of the left lane (opposite direction).
The road must have sections that allow the driver to perform this maneuver.
rebase in security conditions, this minimum visibility distance required
it is called overtaking visibility distance.
The visibility distance for overtaking is composed of 4 distances: d1 = Distance
distance traveled by the vehicle that overtakes during the perception-reaction time and during the
initial acceleration, until it reaches the opposite lane.
d2 = Distance traveled by the vehicle that exceeds during the occupancy time of
left lane
d3 = Distance covered by the opposing vehicle during 2/3 of the time that the vehicle
The rebasing occupies the left lane, that is, 2/3 of d2.
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d4 = Distance between the overtaking vehicle and the vehicle coming from the opposite direction, when
end of the maneuver.
Define 'Degree of Curvature (Gc)'
It is the angle formed by an arc of 20 meters. Its maximum value is the one that allows
safely navigate the curve with maximum banking at the design speed.
Graph and define 'Espaldón'
Backrests - They are the external parts.
that are next to the roadway, serve
Backhoe (Backrest)
to provide additional space to
the lanes so that they can
temporarily park the
vehicles that are in emergency and
avoid accidents.
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